After a couple of decades of centering his TV empire on New York, the home of "Law & Order" and most of its spinoffs, the veteran producer Dick Wolf has suddenly become a man of the Midwest. His new pair of shows - not an empire yet, but already at least a duchy - is set and filmed in Chicago, a part of Wolf's life the 67-year-old calls "the beginning of a very satisfying third act. " "Chicago Fire," Wolf's action- and emotion-packed look at a city firefighting squadron,...

Get ready for TV's spinoff invasion. Over half a dozen of next season's newcomers will hit the airwaves with a presold connection to proven ratings performers. From "Breaking Bad" prequel " Better Call Saul " to fresh takes on the durable "CSI" and "NCIS" franchises to CW's comicbook offshoot "The Flash" (introduced via " Arrow "), they're already among the most anticipated new shows. There's nothing new about the concept of spinoffs, but as the crowded TV landscape makes...

If "Chicago Fire" creator Dick Wolf had his way, Lady Gaga would be working on the set of the NBC firefighter drama rather than just visiting it. The pop singer has been a regular on the Chicago set due to her relationship with “Chicago Fire” star Taylor Kinney, who plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide on the show. Although she rarely discusses their relationship in the media, she did encourage her millions of Twitter followers to tune into the show when it premiered...

NBC has renewed " Law & Order: SVU " for a 16th season after some behind-the-scenes wrangling with exec producer Dick Wolf. The last surviving series from the "Law & Order" dynasty had a solid year ratings-wise, and there is renewed buzz about Emmy prospects for star Mariska Hargitay. But there were financial issues that complicated what would otherwise have been an easy renewal for a show from Universal TV. It's not immediately clear how the sides managed to come to terms...

While TNT may know drama with scripted crime shows including "Perception," "King & Maxwell" and "Law & Order" reruns , the Turner net is only now getting to know the true crime space with the launch of " Cold Justice " from producer Dick Wolf and reality stalwarts Magical Elves . Each episode of the skein follows Kelly Siegler and Yolanda McClary, seasoned former prosecutor and CSI, as they investigate an unsolved murder case....

In concept, "Sirens" could be the third leg of Dick Wolf's Chicago first-responders stool, a locally made show about paramedics to go with his series about cops ("Chicago P.D. ") and firefighters ("Chicago Fire"). Instead, it's a new comedy on USA (premiering Thursday at 9 p.m.) from Denis Leary rather than Wolf. And although it has moments that find humor in being shocking, they are often too determinedly so. There's so much locker room material here, it might as well have been about...

NBC added another comedy and two dramas, including the "Chicago Fire" spinoff, to its new series roster for the 2013-14 season. Laffer "Undateable" marks the Peacock's fifth new comedy series. "Ironside" (pictured) is a remake of the 1970s series, starring Blair Underwood as the wheelchair-bound gumshoe originally played by Raymond Burr. Ass expected, Dick Wolf is claiming another hour of NBC's sked with the pickup of "Chicago PD,"...

It might be premature to compare the “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” franchise with the long-running “Law & Order” franchise, but the similarities are there. Both NBC franchises were created by legendary producer Dick Wolf. Both involve public service. Both have aired crossover episodes. And if Wolf goes ahead with the rumored Chicago medical spinoff to “Fire” and “PD,” both will have spawned multiple shows. The cast members of...

The cast and crew of NBC's “Chicago Fire” have learned that there are added bonuses to filming a firefighter drama in the Chicago area. Taylor Kinney - who co-stars with Jesse Spencer and Eamonn Walker on the show - said the staff at a Harley Davidson dealership in the Joliet area recently noticed the squad jacket he was wearing and offered him a 20 percent discount on his motorcycle rental. “I told him I wasn't (a firefighter) and that I was...

The number of film and television projects filmed in Chicago, jumped 20 percent in 2013 to 2,198 filming days, according to the Chicago Film office. City officials said it was a new record high, trumping 2012's 1,808 days. The filming hours include six simultaneous full-time TV series, three studio features shot back-to-back and 137 commercials. "The most impressive growth was in episodic television," said Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office....

“Chicago PD” is briefly borrowing Ice-T and Kelli Giddish from “Law & Order: SVU” this week for a crossover episode and the plan is for "PD" to return the favor . Ice-T posted a photo of himself and Giddish - who play detectives Fin Tutuola and Amanda Rollins on “SVU,” respectively - on the “PD” set Monday with their co-stars. “PD” and “SVU” are both produced by Dick Wolf. According to TV Guide's interview with...

There's an old Rudyard Kipling quote about Chicago I haven't heard for a while that shows up in the new NBC drama "Chicago PD," a show that looks to portray police work the old school way: tough, dirty and not without personal costs. Will you see expansive recaps on this show every week? No. It's not that kind of series. Is it a touch overheated at times? Yes. But it hits the spot. But first, that Kipling line. Having married an American, Kipling spent some time on these shores...

The number of film and television projects filmed in Chicago, jumped 20 percent in 2013 to 2,198 filming days, according to the Chicago Film office. City officials said it was a new record high, trumping 2012's 1,808 days. The filming hours include six simultaneous full-time TV series, three studio features shot back-to-back and 137 commercials. "The most impressive growth was in episodic television," said Rich Moskal, director of the Chicago Film Office....

After a couple of decades of centering his TV empire on New York, the home of "Law & Order" and most of its spinoffs, the veteran producer Dick Wolf has suddenly become a man of the Midwest. His new pair of shows - not an empire yet, but already at least a duchy - is set and filmed in Chicago, a part of Wolf's life the 67-year-old calls "the beginning of a very satisfying third act. " "Chicago Fire," Wolf's action- and emotion-packed look at a city firefighting squadron,...

It might be premature to compare the “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” franchise with the long-running “Law & Order” franchise, but the similarities are there. Both NBC franchises were created by legendary producer Dick Wolf. Both involve public service. Both have aired crossover episodes. And if Wolf goes ahead with the rumored Chicago medical spinoff to “Fire” and “PD,” both will have spawned multiple shows. The cast members of...

“Chicago PD” is briefly borrowing Ice-T and Kelli Giddish from “Law & Order: SVU” this week for a crossover episode and the plan is for "PD" to return the favor . Ice-T posted a photo of himself and Giddish - who play detectives Fin Tutuola and Amanda Rollins on “SVU,” respectively - on the “PD” set Monday with their co-stars. “PD” and “SVU” are both produced by Dick Wolf. According to TV Guide's interview with...

There's an old Rudyard Kipling quote about Chicago I haven't heard for a while that shows up in the new NBC drama "Chicago PD," a show that looks to portray police work the old school way: tough, dirty and not without personal costs. Will you see expansive recaps on this show every week? No. It's not that kind of series. Is it a touch overheated at times? Yes. But it hits the spot. But first, that Kipling line. Having married an American, Kipling spent some time on these shores...

If "Chicago Fire" creator Dick Wolf had his way, Lady Gaga would be working on the set of the NBC firefighter drama rather than just visiting it. The pop singer has been a regular on the Chicago set due to her relationship with “Chicago Fire” star Taylor Kinney, who plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide on the show. Although she rarely discusses their relationship in the media, she did encourage her millions of Twitter followers to tune into the show when it premiered...

16.1 million Viewers of the "Lost" season premiere (above), the top audience for the ABC series since 2006. 38-30 Patriots' winning score in Super Bowl simulations on Madden NFL '08, according to gamemaker EASports. 75 Hours, per week, that you could watch "Law & Order" or its spinoffs, according to producer Dick Wolf. He tells Variety that his goal is "24/7." 36 Doors (including cabinets) from Jim Morrison's childhood home in Clearwater, Fla., to be painted and auctioned for...

With the new TV season upon us, let's step back and look at the new shows based out of Chicago (an unprecedented six TV series are here this fall), plus shows filming elsewhere that feature Chicago actors. First, what's shooting in town: NBC The network has three series here. "Chicago Fire" returns next week at 9 p.m. on a new night (Tuesdays). The show has spawned a spin-off called "Chicago PD" - from the same creators, including Dick Wolf, Derek Haas and Michael...